jph-65157
Joined Nov 2022
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jph-65157's rating
You know, some movies lose their edge and popularity after being around for several decades and aren't quite as good as they used to be. Well, guess what? Speed is definitely NOT one of them and still just as good as it was when it first came out a little over 30 years ago. The action, the wit, the intensity, and the acting is superb and still holds up well today, especially compared to a lot of the action movies made now.
I think most of us know the plot, so I'll jump right into the pros. First and foremost, what holds up well the most in Speed is the wit and the intensity. Although I've seen it several times and know what's going to happen, what I can't get enough of is how I'm always on the edge of my seat during the action sequences and waiting to see what happens next. Somehow, the way those scenes are done really gets you hooked and you wanna see if a bomb goes off or not or if Howard Payne (the villain played by Dennis Hopper) pulls off something unexpected that changes the outcome. Then if something does happen and you think things will be fine, another ordeal pops up that keeps the plot moving and you realize that Jack Traven (the hero played by Keanu Reeves) are not out the woods yet and have to figure out a way around Payne's plans. Definitely never a dull moment when it comes to the plot and kudos for the team for thinking the plot out really well.
In addition to the action sequences, what makes them great and holds up well is that unlike several of those movies today, there is little to NO CGI during them. Watching the movie several times, I noticed there was probably only one or two scenes that had CGI during the action sequences, but everything else was done with real props and made everything very realistic, especially with scenes of the bus crashing into other vehicles and when it jumps the gap on the bridge. To be honest, CGI is what bogs down action movies today because the scenes just look fake and unrealistic and not as enjoyable they're made out to be. With Speed though, minimal CGI was an excellent move because like I said, the real props made the crashes/explosions and stunts work well and it looked it they were really happening and definitely makes this worth watching more so than the movies today.
Lastly, the acting here was done really well by everyone, particularly from Keanu, Dennis, and Sandra Bullock. Dennis Hopper in particular was amazing because holy crap, he plays such a sick, witty, and sadistic villain!!! Like seriously, the lines he delivers and the ways he says them is just so dang menacing and plays Howard Payne like a pro. He definitely makes this guy a villain you love to hate and major props to Mr. Hopper for bringing this sick mad bomber to the screen. Keanu Reeves was excellent too and I know he sometimes gets flak for being considered a bad actor, but as Jack Traven, he really showed he CAN act and play a serious and protective cop without overdoing it, so kudos to Keanu for his performance (and of course later on as John Wick). Sandra Bullock was great too as the sarcastic and spunky Annie Porter and I think Speed is the movie where she showcased well she can act and proved she is a great leading actress (like seriously, look at her filmography before this and you'll see what I mean). All of them definitely performed well and honestly, it's better than some of today's acting as well.
So yes, to sum it up, Speed is definitely one of those films that's been around for decades that still holds up really well today and if you don't believe me, give a watch and I can almost guarantee, you'll see what I mean. If you don't, that's fine too, but still saying Speed is a classic that will never get old.
I think most of us know the plot, so I'll jump right into the pros. First and foremost, what holds up well the most in Speed is the wit and the intensity. Although I've seen it several times and know what's going to happen, what I can't get enough of is how I'm always on the edge of my seat during the action sequences and waiting to see what happens next. Somehow, the way those scenes are done really gets you hooked and you wanna see if a bomb goes off or not or if Howard Payne (the villain played by Dennis Hopper) pulls off something unexpected that changes the outcome. Then if something does happen and you think things will be fine, another ordeal pops up that keeps the plot moving and you realize that Jack Traven (the hero played by Keanu Reeves) are not out the woods yet and have to figure out a way around Payne's plans. Definitely never a dull moment when it comes to the plot and kudos for the team for thinking the plot out really well.
In addition to the action sequences, what makes them great and holds up well is that unlike several of those movies today, there is little to NO CGI during them. Watching the movie several times, I noticed there was probably only one or two scenes that had CGI during the action sequences, but everything else was done with real props and made everything very realistic, especially with scenes of the bus crashing into other vehicles and when it jumps the gap on the bridge. To be honest, CGI is what bogs down action movies today because the scenes just look fake and unrealistic and not as enjoyable they're made out to be. With Speed though, minimal CGI was an excellent move because like I said, the real props made the crashes/explosions and stunts work well and it looked it they were really happening and definitely makes this worth watching more so than the movies today.
Lastly, the acting here was done really well by everyone, particularly from Keanu, Dennis, and Sandra Bullock. Dennis Hopper in particular was amazing because holy crap, he plays such a sick, witty, and sadistic villain!!! Like seriously, the lines he delivers and the ways he says them is just so dang menacing and plays Howard Payne like a pro. He definitely makes this guy a villain you love to hate and major props to Mr. Hopper for bringing this sick mad bomber to the screen. Keanu Reeves was excellent too and I know he sometimes gets flak for being considered a bad actor, but as Jack Traven, he really showed he CAN act and play a serious and protective cop without overdoing it, so kudos to Keanu for his performance (and of course later on as John Wick). Sandra Bullock was great too as the sarcastic and spunky Annie Porter and I think Speed is the movie where she showcased well she can act and proved she is a great leading actress (like seriously, look at her filmography before this and you'll see what I mean). All of them definitely performed well and honestly, it's better than some of today's acting as well.
So yes, to sum it up, Speed is definitely one of those films that's been around for decades that still holds up really well today and if you don't believe me, give a watch and I can almost guarantee, you'll see what I mean. If you don't, that's fine too, but still saying Speed is a classic that will never get old.